David V. Allen, Orphalese CEO, bought bachelor's degree from alleged diploma mill

[archerships]

Interesting. Donald V. Allen is the founder and CEO of Orphalese Global Stratagies. Orphalese Global Stratagies is the company building the Orphalese which, when completed, will be the largest residential cruise ship ever built. Although he has some impressive accomplishments since then, it appears that Allen bought his bachelor's degree from Pacific Western University, which the GAO declares to be a diploma mill. Also, although Orphalese Global Stratagies is managing the development of the Orphalese, no mention is made of that fact on their website (that I could find).

It would be very interesting to compare the subsequent salaries of people who earn their degrees from places like PWU with those who earn degrees from accredited universities.

Comments

You should apologize to this man

[(Anonymous)]

Pacific Western University is where I received my degree from as well. You should check all of the information before you try to destroy a mans reputation. The University is accredited by the State of California and by the U.S. Justice Dept. Your reference to the GAO only applies to schools that receive Government Grants. Pacific Western University has several Campuses around the world and they require completion of all course hours in order to be awarded a Degree. A far cry from a "send your money and get your degree"

See Below:

CALIFORNIA STATE APPROVAL
Pacific Western University is licensed by the Bureau for Private Post secondary and Vocational Education to grant degrees under the provisions of the California Education Code, Section 94310. Approval under this section indicates that the institution is compliance with minimum state standards. State Approval does not imply any endorsement or recommendation by the state or the bureau.

Click here for PWU's current approval status.

https://app.dca.ca.gov/bppve/school-search/view-school.asp?schlcode=1927881

Re: You should apologize to this man

[crasch.livejournal.com]

The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education is not an accrediting body:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Bureau_for_Private_Postsecondary_and_Vocational_Education

"California Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education is an unit of the California Department of Consumer Affairs and aims to protect students by establishing academic standards for of private postsecondary schools in California. CBPPVE approval or exemption is required by the state of California to ensure consumer safety from fraudulent degrees. Despite this it is not a recognized accreditor nor does its approval serve as a substitute for School accreditation.[1]"

What courses did you have to complete to earn your degree?

Pacific Wester University is approved for Veterans

[(Anonymous)]

The Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education (The Californis State Dept of Consumer affairs that approved PACIFIC WESTERN UNIVERSITY)(Bureau) -- part of the California Department of Consumer Affairs -- works to protect students attending privately operated postsecondary educational institutions.

These schools contribute to California's economy, providing educational options for younger students, and increasingly catering to older students looking to advance or change their careers. The Bureau regulates approximately 1,500 degree-granting and vocational schools serving an estimated 400,000 students.

The Bureau establishes educational standards that are intended to serve as the minimum standard for instructional quality and institutional stability for private postsecondary schools in California. The Bureau responds to student complaints and oversees a fund designed to help reimburse a student's tuition if a school closes unexpectedly. The Bureau is also responsible for approving education and training programs for veterans.

Re: Pacific Wester University is approved for Veterans

[crasch.livejournal.com]

"The Bureau is also responsible for approving education and training programs for veterans."

This means that the Bureau is responsible for approving eduction and training programs for veterans--it does not imply that the Bureau has approved PWU for veterans.

As for the value of a degree from PWU, I encourage anyone with an interest in PWU to read these two articles, and judge for themselves:

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2006/12/15/calu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Pacific_Western_University/Proposed

Re: Pacific Wester University is approved for Veterans

[(Anonymous)]

If you have a time to criticize other people, why don't you worry about yourself.


I just don't understand a person like you. You must have a small penus.

Re: Pacific Wester University is approved for Veterans

[crasch.livejournal.com]

I care very much about the success of residential cruise ships. The industry is still in its infancy, and a scandal could bring about regulatory scrutiny that could cripple the industry for years to come. Therefore, it concerns me that one of the early pioneers in the industry bought his bachelor's degree from an alleged diploma mill. In my experience, people buy such degree's in order to make themselves seem more impressive, to make it seem as if they have more training than they really have, without actually enduring the work required to earn most four year degrees. And if someone is willing to inflate their academic credentials, what else would they be willing to inflate? The likely investment returns on a fractional ownership in a residential cruise ship perhaps?

Also, I have a very small "penus".

Re: Pacific Wester University is approved for Veterans

[(Anonymous)]

Seriously now Crasch...your concerns as stated DON'T hold water! Do you think that a person like BILL GATES "required" a college degree to envision and then create Microsoft??? I think the proof is in the outcome! This is no different!!! Genius and vision doesn't require a college degree...it takes guts, faith and the "right" people to bring it to fruition.

Your post lends one to conclude that you're a skeptic who seemingly operates from fear rather than faith. Without "visionaries" we would still be using candles for illumination and riding horses for transportation!

If your fear is in regard to "regulation of the industry" and/or "loss of investment", then DON'T invest in this industry, invest in something you feel SAFE in.

In the words of John Lennon, "Let It Be"

Crasch, get a life!


Posted by: KD on 4/20/2008

Re: Pacific Wester University is approved for Veterans

[crasch.livejournal.com]

I have no problem if Mr. Allen didn't earn a degree. I have a problem with Mr. Allen buying a diploma that makes it appear as if he got the same level of training as someone from most other universities.

As you point out, a college degree is not necessary to achieve great success. And I'm a huge fan of residential cruise ships. I hope it becomes a huge, successful industry. And, in fact, I wish that Donald Allen to be successful as well! I hope the Orphalese sells out with many happy customers and Allen becomes a millionaire.

However, a degree from a diploma mill is a red flag. People who buy diploma mill degrees often try to pass themselves off as having had training that they did not actually have. And if someone is willing to misrepresent their training, what else would they be willing to misrepresent?

I care about possible scam artists because I _do_ want to invest in this industry, and I want to see it as unregulated as possible. If a lot of people get burned by unscrupulous salesmen (similar to the timeshare industry in the 80's), it could bring unwanted regulatory attention and scrutiny. Heavy regulations could stifle the growth of the industry for years to come.

A Degree Earned or Bought ???

[(Anonymous)]

Crasch, I can appreciate your position on this, thank you for your explanation. It has been my personal experience that many people have incredible degrees, several to their name in fact, but these same people are NOT anymore "qualified to do a job" than the man who is self-taught...you know, the graduate from the "school of hard knocks" aka "the school of life".

I don't know whether or not Mr. Allen has a degree, I don't know whether or not he "earned his degree" through a formal higher education establishment, but I do know this...RISK is inherent in most investments (right?) so as an investor you have to weigh whether or not you're willing to take an unknown risk. It's that simple.

Investors get burned in a multitude of ways by a lot of unscrupulous salesmen...it is definitely wrong, but it is reality...and the way to avoid getting burned is to do your homework.

To focus on a matter seemingly (to me anyway) as unimportant as a college degree (mind you I don't know if he has one, but since he graduated from the "Los Angeles Police Academy" he has WAAAY more knowledge than any business will ever require of him) appears narrow-minded in the grand scheme of things Crasch. Can you half-way agree with that analysis?

I read that other residential ships didn't do so well after 5 years or so, whose fault would you suggest that is? Question #2, why does anyone specifically have to take blame...how about it's a "series of events that is to blame?"

I'm curious, what makes you think he bought a degree?

I'd like to propose to you that you do your research, you investigate your concerns in-depth, and then you make your conclusion based on your findings. If you succeed in your goals and make a wise investment, then all is well, and if you lose your a$$, then you need to take responsibility for your choices since NO ONE FORCED YOUR HAND...you exercised your ""free-will" --- and you live with your end result.

That's called "The Game of Life" my friend!!!

Have a good day Crasch, life is short, play hard & smile often.

KD 4/21/2008

[(Anonymous)]

Pacific Western University operates just like Harvard, Columbia, and other institutions of higher learning, in that a degree is based on what the student puts into his or her work. And by the way, do you tell people where to buy their shoes? So, who gives you the right to tell someone where to study, especially since you are not paying the tuition.